Affiliate and Owned & Operated channels

MCNs can have two different types of channels under their YouTube network:

Affiliate channels are managed at scale by their MCN and reside in an Affiliate Content Owner.

Owned & Operated (O&O) channels are owned and operated by the MCN. This means the MCN has obtained the rights to the channel’s YouTube content, assumes full liability for the content on YouTube, and manages the O&O channels on a day to day basis.

Differentiating between these two types of channels allows YouTube to apply our policies and channel features with clarity and fairness.

Key aspects of working with MCNs

Joining an MCN is an important choice for any YouTube creator. Before you join, make sure you understand what services and/or results the MCN will deliver in exchange for your payment. While some creators may choose to partner with an MCN, you don’t need to join an MCN to be successful on YouTube.

YouTube resources for all creators

Make sure you know how to get help as a YouTube Creator and use YouTube’s support options, which are available to you whether you're in an MCN or not.

Every YouTube Creator is eligible for the YouTube for Creators Program, which provides resources like workshops, meetups, channel consultations, production access to the YouTube Spaces, and more — all free of charge and based on your channel’s specific needs.

When you join an MCN, all your revenue will flow through your MCN’s AdSense account, and your MCN will have access to your YouTube Analytics revenue data.

Joining an MCN has no impact on your revenue share with YouTube, which is outlined in your Terms of Service. MCNs typically take a percentage of revenue from the creator’s portion before paying them.

Some MCNs also offer additional revenue opportunities, such as brand sponsorships or dedicated sales teams, that may contribute to higher overall earnings for your channel. If a network offers you these services, you may wish to make sure they are specified in your contract.

While an MCN may be able to help you understand or resolve a copyright claim, strike, or takedown on your channel, the MCN isn’t able to prevent them from happening. Channels that are found to be in violation of YouTube’s community guidelines or copyright policies, such as uploading content they don’t own, will receive strikes or other penalties, whether or not they're part of an MCN.